Abstract

Objectives: To study the dispensing behaviour in a private community pharmacy, and examine the value of a self-learning exercise in stressing professionalism at an early stage of pharmacy education.

Methods: Second year pharmacy students were asked to observe for three consecutive days the dispensing behaviour of a pharmacist in a community pharmacy. Collected results were then analyzed and presented for discussion in the classroom.

Results and conclusion: The communication and social interaction skills and knowledge of the pharmacist were rated excellent. These were reflected on the large number of visitors to the pharmacy. The total number of visitors on three consecutive days was 426 individuals with a daily average of 142 visitors per day. Average dispensing time during the 3 days of study was 4 minutes. Clients with prescriptions constituted only 106 (25%) of total attendants with 46 (1.8 %) being children below 12 years of age carrying a prescriptions that were all dispensed by the pharmacist. Only 7% of visitors were seeking medical information while 11% came into the pharmacy to purchase cosmetics, non-medicated shampoos or other health products. Only 7% of all visitors were seeking medical information while 11% visited the pharmacy to purchase cosmetics, non-medicated shampoos and other health products. About 243 (57%) of individuals visiting the pharmacy were without prescription and asked for either a prescription drug by name (19.4%, 83 clients) or an over-the-counter (OTC) drug (37.5%, 160 clients). The pharmacist diagnosed and dispensed prescription drugs to 28 clients (6.6%) of those asking for prescription drugs and advised the rest (55 clients, 13%) to seek medical consultation. Thirty-three (7.7%) clients willingly accepted while 22 clients (5.2%) rejected the idea complaining of the lengthy procedures of making an appointment and waiting for long hours to get a medical consultation. Class discussion of the results emphasized the importance of values, attitudes, ethics and professionalism. These issues cannot be rated on an arbitrary scale, they are either fully practiced or not.